Chapter III: Evening Full Of Discussions
Rating: T
Word Count: 3,900+
Beta Reader: ForeverAGallagherGirl135!
A/N: Hello beautiful people of the Internet! How have you been? Well, I really want to thank you for your positive reviews! If there's something that inspires me the most is receiving reviews! Also, thank to each one of the followers and favorites! Receiving new followers/favorites is the second thing that inspires me the most! I hope you like this chapter and tell me what you think! With everything said, thanks for reading!
The moment I get to my house the high-heels start killing me. Damn. The other girls from my school might not know how to fight like I do, but they sure know something that I don't, because they don't have any problems while using these demonic things that call themselves 'shoes'. I should start using them every day starting today. Mom will obviously make me use high-heels the day of the graduation, so it would be a good idea to start getting used to them.
My house may be the most beautiful house existent in the city, but I hate it―at least now that I have to walk through the enormous front yard that has a little street which leads to the entrance of the house. It's definitely not easy to walk on pavement with these things. It feels as if a heel will break and I'll end up with a broken ankle.
There's a Prius parked in front of the entrance, and let me tell you that it looks like a really expensive car. It seems that the important visitors are already here. I wonder who they are.
Rita must've been waiting for me the entire afternoon, because as soon as my feet are in front of the entrance, the door bursts open and she's there. Maybe mom ordered her to wait for me.
"Your parents are waiting for you, Miss," she says, motioning for me to enter the house.
"Thank you, Rita." I say, giving her a smile. I unhang the duffel bag from over my shoulder, handing it to her. "Could you please take this to my room? I've got to see my parents before they get panicked."
"It's a pleasure for me to help you, Miss."
"Thank you. My parents are in the living room, right?"
"Yes, Miss, they're in the living room."
Before it can get too late, I head to the living room while combing my hair with my fingers, making it fall over my right shoulder again. Now that I'm ready, I stand at the entrance of the living room, waiting for my parents to see me.
Everyone in the room sees me instantly, filling the room with silence. Mom's approving smile spreads on her face, telling me that she likes the results and I look beautiful. Dad seems surprised by my change, so he smiles at me fondly. Then, I stare at the visitors for the first time.
They seem to be a happy and rich couple. The woman, brunette and with blue eyes, sits next to her husband, hugging his arm. There's something about the man that's curious. He seems familiar, but I would remember him if we'd met before. My mind feels like a puzzle, trying to piece everything together so I can know from where I know this man. From school? It's not possible. At this age everyone goes back to their houses alone, so parents don't go there.
"Annabeth," mom says, motioning for me to enter the room, "we're glad that you're already here."
"My girl," dad continues with mom's announcement, "we want you to meet our important visitors."
"She," says mom, motioning for me to stare at the woman, "is Sally, an old friend from school. And he," the way mom's expression turns serious and disgusted tells me that she also knows the man, but it seems that she doesn't like him too much, "is her husband, Poseidon. I know him from school also, and he's Stamford's mayor."
It's curious how mom's name is Athena, like the Greek goddess, and the man's name is Poseidon, like the Greek god. What makes the situation even more curious is that they don't seem to like each other a lot, like the Greek gods.
Sally is the first one to stand up, pulling her husband to do the same.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Annabeth," she says, stretching her arm to me. I grab it and shake it. "You're a really beautiful girl."
I try not to blush as I shake hands with Mr. Poseidon.
"I agree with my lovely wife, Annabeth," he says while the corners of his lips lift just a little. Where have I seen that before? "You're a beautiful girl. I'm Mr. Poseidon Ja―"
"The car is ready, Mr. Chase," Rita appears at the entrance, making everyone turn to her.
"Thank you, Rita," says dad.
She bows a little before starting towards the entrance.
"You said you have a son, didn't you, Sally?" mom asks with the smile still on her face. It's pretty noticeable the way she doesn't like Mr. Poseidon. Every time their stares meet, both of them resist their urge to gag. I wonder what happened between those two that makes them dislike each other.
"Yes, I have a son," answers Sally. "He's eighteen."
"What a coincidence. Annabeth's eighteen too. Wouldn't it be curious if both of them started a relationship?"
"Mom," I almost shout, frowning at my mother's comment. Alright, that was an unnecessary comment. I'm not looking for a boyfriend.
"What? I was just saying that it would be curious, though it wouldn't be a bad idea."
"Mom!"
"What? I'm just pointing something out. Imagine you, daughter of a powerful family, in a relationship with Sally's son, who is also part of a powerful family. It would be really lovely. That way I could see Sally even more, because she would be part of the family."
"I don't think that's a bad idea," Sally points out with a smile.
My expression is serious as I stare at the two women inside the room. So, mom doesn't care about my life as a student but she cares about having her friend in the family? Okay, that's depressing. She doesn't know about my graduation, and it's been clear that this was my last year in high-school since classes started. It would be even more depressing if I started a relationship with that boy and she knew it instantly.
"Athena, honey," dad says, staring at me and then at mom, "it's clear that Annabeth isn't comfortable talking about this. Why don't we change the subject? Is your son joining us for dinner?"
"Yes, he will join us," Mr. Poseidon answers. "He'll meet with us at the restaurant. He said he needs to take a shower and get dressed. That'll take him some time since he's adjusting in the apartment we bought for him here. You see, he'll start studying here, in New York. He decided to study the university in a public school, but Stamford's isn't really good, so he'll study here."
A bell rings inside my mind. The puzzle is starting to solve. Who else comes from Stamford to study the university here? Who else has jet-black hair and sea-green eyes besides Mr. Poseidon? None other than…Percy Jackson, Thalia's cousin. It all makes sense now. Now I know why Mr. Poseidon seems familiar to me from somewhere.
"He wants to study in a public school?" dad frowns and I can notice that he doesn't like the idea. If he only knew that I'll go to a public school too. "Why?"
"Yes, he wants to study in one," Mr. Poseidon announces, "and he does it because he likes to be very selfless. We have a lot of money and I don't care paying for the monthly payment of a private school. But he says that the money could be used in better things, so he'll study in a public school and the only expensive payment we'll ever do is the one of the apartment, which I already bought."
"What a good boy. But, I think I would never let my girl study in a public school. That's not a place for her, so I'll pay her the best university when the time comes."
"Uh, Frederick, isn't your daughter the age of my son?"
"Yes, she is. Why?"
"Classes begin in August. Shouldn't she already be registered in a university?"
Dad's body paralyzes. His head starts turning until his stare is on me. This is the moment I've been waiting for. This is the third time he'll know that the graduation's in a week―yes, third time. I've told him twice already, but he doesn't remember.
"Annabeth," he says seriously, "you graduated already?"
"The graduation is in a week, dad," I say, crossing my arms over my chest, "and this is the third time I've told you."
Silence fills the room as everyone stares at me. Yes, I wanted to make dad feel bad because he's never been here for me, but I didn't plan to do it in front of visits. I guess something inside me wanted to do it like that.
"And why didn't you remind me that―" he starts, but I interrupt him.
"Do I have to remind you that you have a daughter? Do I have to remind you also that you have two other sons? Maybe you didn't notice that they went on vacation with Aunt Artemis."
"Of course not, but…what are we doing? No, I don't have to worry. I'll pay what's necessary to register you in the best university."
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm already registered in a public school."
Again, silence fills the room. I don't know how Sally's or Poseidon's expressions are. I stare at my parents' expression. Hearing that I'm registered in a public university shocked them, because they're paralyzed while staring at me.
"You took that decision without consulting us?" dad frowns.
"Yes, why?" I ask, tilting my head to the left with a serious expression on my face.
"You shouldn't have done that! You should've consulted us before!"
"Don't shout at me, dad, because if you didn't notice, we're not alone in the room. And I made that decision because I realized that, if you don't remember, you don't care."
"What are you talking about? I care about you."
"It's not like that, dad. The last time I graduated I had to remember you the same day of the graduation, because you'd forgotten it. I was too young to realize that if you don't remember it, it's because you don't give a damn about it.
"That's why I didn't remind you again that my graduation's in a week. I told you twice and even gave you an invitation that, for all I know, you threw in the trashcan. You don't care about it. That's why I made that decision. I know it's rude to tell you all this in front of visitors, but it feels good to finally release everything I've been containing."
Tears are starting to appear in my eyes. I'm not sure if it's because I feel bad about remembering that my parents don't care about me or if it's because I feel really good of finally telling my father his truths. The atmosphere fills with tension, every single stare in the room landing on me. It seems that what I said hit my father, because he doesn't look angry. It's too early to say if he's angry, though.
"Excuse me," I say after taking a deep breath. "I'll be waiting in the car."
Just like earlier, I turn on my heels and start towards the entrance, my hair swinging off my right shoulder and across my back as I walk. Despite all, it feels good to know that I finally released everything I think of dad. I hope that this makes him change. If not, what I said will be in vain, because I know he'll get angry instead.
While I head to the car, my mind wishes unconsciously that my parents were like Percy's―if he's the son of Sally and Poseidon, of course, though I think he is. They seem to know everything that happens to their son, and they don't have a problem with the things he does. They must know that he trains in Chiron's gym and they don't say anything, and they permit him to take his own decisions. Dad, instead, almost killed me when he knew about the public school. I can imagine him locking me in my room if he knows about the gym.
I can notice the car parked next to the entrance, which is the car that dad always uses in special occasions. He doesn't drive it. Instead, there is a personal driver standing next to the car. I walk to the car, wanting to get in to be alone for a moment.
"Miss," says the driver, opening the door for me to enter.
"Thank you," I answer, not looking back and sitting on the backseat.
The driver closes the door and silence fills the car. The silence is so soothing, and it makes me feel better. Feeling better, though, makes me remember that these 'shoes' are killing me. I take the high-heels off and start to massage my feet, which hurt terribly.
My parents appear at the entrance followed by Sally and Poseidon. Is it me or dad no longer seems to care about what I said? Instead, he looks ashamed―probably of me…
Sally and Poseidon smile and then head to their car. My parents, in other hand, start toward this car. Mom gets in first and then dad. Then, the silence is back. None of them talk at all, and something tells me that dad is really angry.
. . .
As I thought, dad is really angry. Even when we arrive at the restaurant he doesn't stop glaring at me. I really don't know why he's like this since he is the one who caused all this. I only told him the truth and that's all. I should be the angry person here, not him.
The five of us arrive to our table, and I sit alone. Mom and dad sit at the edges of the table, Sally and Poseidon sit together at one side of the table, and I sit alone at the other side. It seems that it'll be me who will sit with Sally's son―or Percy, if he's the son.
Talking about Percy…
The green-eyed boy appears at the entrance. He wears a marine-blue shirt, which is tucked in to his dark trousers. Why do I have to wear high-heels when he's only wearing black Vans? Also, he has a thin striped tie tucked in to a black vest.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he says with a low voice. It seems that he's also serious with his family, because there isn't a smile for them. "I just finished training and I needed to take a shower before coming."
His stare lands on me, but I ignore it, taking sips of my drink, which I really don't know what it is.
"It's not a problem, boy," dad says and stands up, stretching his arm to Percy. "I'm Frederick Chase, and this is my wife, Athena. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"It's a pleasure," mom says, also stretching her arm.
"The pleasure is mine," says Percy, again, with a low and serious voice. "My name is Perseus, but everyone calls me Percy. I like it better."
"Then, we'll call you Percy," says dad and then motions for him to sit next to me. "Take a seat, boy, we're about to order."
Before sitting, Percy walks to his parents. He places a soft and serious peck on Sally's cheek and then gives a little pat on Mr. Poseidon's shoulder. Then, he heads to me. I almost flinch when his lips touch my cheek, and I stare at him confused.
"Hello, Annabeth," he says, the corners of his lips lifting a little. "It's good to see you again."
Then, he sits next to me, and I'm left paralyzed―not by his kiss, of course, but because everyone's stare is on me. Oh shit. How am I supposed to explain that I already knew Percy? No, there's something even worse. How am I supposed to explain that I know him from a gym?
"Again?" asks dad, and for a moment his angry expression disappears. "You two already knew each other?"
"Yes," answers Percy, and I feel my heartbeat quickening. "I know her from―"
"From school," I interrupt him, gaining everyone's attention. "Uh, I mean, he'll study in New York's University, like I will. I met him during the admission test."
Dad's frown comes back, and then he turns his stare to his drink. Meanwhile, beneath the table, my hand travels to Percy's leg, and I pinch on it. He doesn't give a painful expression or grimace. His expression is still serious, staring at me, but I think he can understand the message. Then, he gives a nod.
"Yes," he says. "I know her from the admission test―even when I didn't do one." My stare lands on him, and I think I just ruined everything. "But, that day, I was waiting to be attended by the principal of the school. I saw Annabeth alone, studying and waiting for her turn to do the test. So I decided to talk with her. You know, while we waited."
The weight of the sky is removed from over my shoulders. Damn. I owe him one. I really thought everything was lost.
"I see," dad says, nodding and frowning a little. Then, his expression softens, staring at Percy. "Well, maybe you can take care of my daughter while she studies there, because she took the decision of registering in that school. And, what do you practice, boy?"
"What do I practice?" asks Percy, confused.
"Yes. You mentioned earlier that the reason of your delay was because you just finished training. What do you practice?"
"Ah, a martial art. I think it's Korean."
"It sounds interesting. What do you do there?"
"Well, we do what every other martial art does. We condition ourselves. We learn to defend ourselves, to fight, acquire strategy. Like every other martial art it also has a theoretical part, but we don't talk about it too much. We like more to do physical exercises."
"I wish I would've done something like that when I was young."
"I say the same, Frederick," Mr. Poseidon says with a smile. "My son and my niece are really lucky for doing things like this while they can. It's good that they enjoy their youth."
"Your niece also trains with your son?"
"Yes. My son trained in Stamford while my niece, Thalia, trained here in the city. My brother needed to move to the city due to his work, so Thalia started training with Percy. Now, she's back here and Percy will train with her now that he'll move to study."
"I don't mean to be rude," says dad, taking a sip of his mysterious drink, "but I wouldn't let my daughter practice that kind of violent things. She isn't like that," then his stare lands on me, "or are you telling me that you also train there and I don't know?"
I can feel Percy's stare on me, but I only stare at dad. He's angry at me. That's why he's asking me this. Anger starts rising inside me, but I just tilt my head to the right, giving a wide smile.
"No, dad, I don't practice anything," I say, "but if I did, would you even know? You're always too busy for your daughter."
His face turns red. "Stop complaining about what I do! If I work non-stop it's because I care about you, your brothers and Athena. I work for my family, and thanks to my effort you are who you are!"
"I said it before, dad. Don't shout at me, because we're not alone here. Do you see me shouting? It's not my fault that things aren't going like you want. And let me ask you something: who am I? A daughter forgotten by her parents?"
"I don't forget about you. Understand that, Annabeth."
"You don't forget about me? Then, why didn't you remember my graduation? When I was younger I expected you to hug me every day till the graduation, and I expected you to never forget my birthdays again." I get up from the place. The birthdays' thing is something I shouldn't remember, but I couldn't contain myself. Then, I turn to Mr. Poseidon and Sally, who seem to be having an awkward moment. "I'm sorry for ruining your visit and dinner. Excuse me."
Again, I leave, running my fingers through my hair. I don't want to be anywhere near dad right now. Everything's so tense between us, and I know that if I stay there a moment more I'll say worse things, or he'll do the same. Why is my life so complicated?
Outside it's already getting dark. There's dark tone of orange in the sky, and I can see the moon already. There's a fountain outside the place, where I lean my arms and stare at the fishes and turtles inside, swimming and chasing each other.
Minutes pass as I think while running my finger through the surface of the water.
"Are you alright?"
Percy's voice almost gives me a heart attack. I turn around instantly and find him standing there, hands in pockets and with the serious expression on his face.
"Of course I'm right," I say sarcastically. "I'm perfect."
"Alright," he says, lifting his eyebrows a little and grabbing my arm. "Then, let's go inside if you're perfect."
He tries to pull me, but I resist and release myself. His face starts leaning forward, until he's just a few inches in front of me.
"I didn't do anything to you, Annabeth," he says with a low and serious voice, "so don't act angry with me. I'm asking you a question seriously. Are you alright or not?"
"Of course I'm not right," I say. "I'd never fought with dad before. I think it's a progress, because we never had problems before. Now we have one. And I feel bad because I ruined your parents' visit."
"You shouldn't feel bad. I think you did right in telling your father the truth. He has to understand that there's time for everything. You have my father, for example. He has time for us and for his work. You just need to make him see what he's doing wrong."
Wow, that is the longest thing I've heard him say. I nod while staring to his sea-green eyes. For a moment, his face distracts me again. At least he's wearing more clothes right now, because earlier, when I saw his body…
Annabeth Chase, I think. Stop thinking about that.
"I think you're right," I say.
"And why didn't you tell him you practice the same thing as me?" he asks. "That's also something he'll have to accept if you like it."
"I know, but I can't risk losing the one thing I love. What if he doesn't accept it at all? You heard him say that he wouldn't like me to practice something like that. I'll keep it as a secret, like I've done it since I started training."
"Alright," he says, and I expect him to say something more but he's not too talkative and ends the subject. "Well, I think we should go in. They're about to order the food."
"I will stay for a few more minutes. I want to calm down before seeing dad again."
"Annabeth, come with me. You've got to confront your father sooner or later."
That was an order, I'm sure it was. I know he says it in a good way, but I'm too angry already to be taking orders from him. This is the fourth order today.
"I told you," I say, trying to sound as less harsh as possible. "I like to do what I want."
This time he doesn't seem to be pleased. He frowns a little, but then rolls his eyes and turns around.
"As you wish," he says, "Miss Chase."
And as soon as he appeared, he leaves.